Thursday, June 19, 2008 - Washing Clothes -- By Hand

We had a mountain of dirty clothes and it was finally time to wash them. The sun was out and the water was flowing (sometimes after a heavy rain storm the pipes from the community water system get clogged and the water stops for a time). Knowing I couldn't get through them all, I first sorted and selected the ones we needed most. One by one, I first wet the item dipping water from the "pila" (a cement holding tank, a necessity in every home in Honduras where you can't always count on water flowing consistently from the tap). Next rubbing in the blue bar of soap, kneading the soap and water into the fabric, rubbing the dirtiest spots. Then rinsing until all the bubbles are gone. Twisting the water out and hanging it on the line in the sun. Repeating again and again and again until it was all done. Working in the cold water was refreshing as the day heated up. As I only have a chance to wash our clothes this way a couple of times a year, I actually really enjoy it. But I can certainly see why the first appliance many women get when they have the money is a washing machine. Most women in Honduras still wash by hand, even in the city. In the U.S. we have no idea how to wash without a machine. What would we ever do without electricity?? I'm glad to have had the chance to learn this lost skill.